Overview

The University of Portsmouth was awarded university status in 1992 and is located on the south coast of England, about 120 km south west of London. Almost 23,000 students, including 3,500 international students from over 100 countries, are currently enrolled and for the eighth consecutive year students have scored the University above the national average for student satisfaction.

Portsmouth is strong in the area modern languages and teaches six languages to degree level, offering free language lessons to all students. The University also excels in the area of health and medicine and has partnerships with numerous other institutions such as King’s College London for the teaching of certain disciplines. Portsmouth has several unique research centres such as the UK’s first Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, the Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences and the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation.

Services for International Students

The University of Portsmouth runs pre-sessional English language courses for students who have applied to the University for all levels of study. Portsmouth also offers classes in English for Academic Purpose during term time to help students adjust to the English university system and ensure that they are fully equipped to write essays and reports and to make effective presentations. Topics include essay writing, presentations, grammar and academic style and critical thinking. All EAP classes are free of charge for the first year.

Ranking

53rd in the Times University Guide 2018

37th in the Guardian University Guide 2018

Following the last Research Excellence Framework in 2014, the University of Portsmouth score highly with 60% of research submitted rated ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. The areas of Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy and Physics particularly stood out.

Accommodation

All first year international students are guaranteed an offer of University owned accommodation during their first year of study. There are four main accommodation Halls for students at Portsmouth, and the University hosts a free bus service between the campuses during term time.

Private rented accommodation is available in the city, mostly in the form of shared flats and houses or lodgings with a local family. Vacancies, as well as safety standards, are continually monitored by the University in order to help students to find a suitable place to live.

Location

Portsmouth is the UK’s only island city on the south coast of England, around 90 minutes away from London via train. Situated on the Solent, opposite the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth is a busy cosmopolitan naval and commercial port with around 200,000 inhabitants, 20,000 of which are students. The University of Portsmouth's seaside location makes it very easy to enjoy the pebbled beaches, public gardens and sport all year round, while Portsmouth has a strong maritime heritage and is the home of the Royal Navy. Many global companies have come to Portsmouth such as BAE Systems, EADS Astrium, VT Shipbuilding and the UK headquarters of IBM.

Due to its location, Portsmouth is a gateway to the continent and other UK cities. Gatwick Airport is just 90 minutes away and as a busy ferry port, links are available to the Isle of Wight, France and Spain.